MLB.com's Carrie Muskat has been covering Major League Baseball since 1981 and is the author of "Banks to Sandberg to Grace: Five Decades of Love and Frustration with the Cubs." You can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. Here, she blogs about the Cubs.

1/3 Reed Johnson contract done

The Cubs and Reed Johnson have agreed to terms on a one-year Major League contract, the team announced Tuesday. Johnson, 35, batted .309 with 22 doubles, five home runs, 33 runs scored and 28 RBIs in 111 games last season.

Soriano, Byrd, DeJesus, Campana…which two players on the 40 man roster am I missing?
Maybe Epstein has no intention of keeping the mediocre Byrd and would like at least one veteran, GOOD back up. Johnson is not an impact player I admit, but he does seem to be a very good role player that can bring a few attributes to the table. Better than sticking infielders such as DeWitt and LaHair and Baker in the outfield like the Mighty Quade was apt to do. I’d rather have a platoon of Johnson and Campana in LF than Soriano. But I do understand petrey10’s point about mediocrity…we are all hoping it won’t last much longer but I think Johnson deserves at least A LITTLE more props than being lumped in with the likes of below average talent….??? Right?

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.